Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the transfer of FÁS staff to SOLAS; the timescale in which this transitional period will be completed. [26144/12]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding Solus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27032/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 200 together.

Following the Government Decision to create SOLAS, an Implementation Group was set up to establish SOLAS. I am chairing this Group and its membership includes representatives from the Department of Education and Skills, FÁS, the Irish Vocational Education Association, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of the Taoiseach, and a representative from the private training sector.

The Heads of a Bill for the establishment of SOLAS have been approved by Government and have recently been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting purposes. The Bill will, inter alia, provide for the establishment of SOLAS, for the dissolution of FÁS and for the transfer of FÁS staff to SOLAS. I expect to publish this legislation in the Autumn session.